Recently when I gave my cloths for ironing I en-quired the ironing vendor for a car cleaning guy's reference, for which his son sitting next to him quickly answered (in a very humble and curious tone) sir I do this job, I turned to see him (was a 14 -15 year old teen). I asked him don't you go to school?
boy : Yes I do.
Me : Which school
boy : Good year (close by)
Me : What is your name?
boy : Sathish
Me : How much?
Sathish: hmmmm Rs 500/- per month I will clean the car daily. I do a very neat n clean job.
Me : Do you clean any other car?
Sathish : Yes sir, I do. I couple of cars.
Me: That is too much. I used to pay Rs 300/- only to the last guy who used to clean the car earlier. I will pay Rs 350/- ?
Sathish: Okay I will come from tomorrow.
Me : Okay
While on the way back I thought I got a good deal, calculating how much it is per day if it costs 350 per month n was happy about it, but somewhere I was feeling guilty n very soon I was thinking is this called child labor?
I reached home n was opening the gate when I heard his voice sir is this your home I turned back in surprise to see who is this, n it was Sathish.
Me : Yes it is, n that is the car.
Sathish : I followed you to see the house so that tomorrow I can come down.
Me : Okay, what time will you be here?
Sathish: morning 6:30.
Me : Thats too early. Come at 8:30
Sathish: I can't I go to school after work n I have a couple of cars to clean.
Me : His answer resonated within me. I was kind of taken back on employing him. I was still wondering, when he asked me
Sathish: If you want I can start from today itself.
(By this time my mom came out in the balcony n asked me who is that. I explained her )
Me : Okay do it, lets see what do you do?
I went inside and by the time I came back from bath, the car is cleaned, when I asked my mom, she said he left after cleaning n told he will come tomorrow morning at 6:30.
For the next one week I did not see him, (am a lazy guy, wakes up at 9:30) but he was coming daily along with his brother (8 -10 years) to clean the car. My mom used to tell about him n his brother's work and appreciated both of them.
It was Saturday night and while having our dinner mom started talking about Sathish and his brother's work. She appreciated both of them for the work they were doing. Then she told about the Sathish's request. He requested her to pay him Rs 500/- instead of Rs 350/-, he said it will suffice to his n his brother's tuition fee at school.
I said : "that is too much", my mom said: I did not commit to him, I told him "I will talk to my son n let you know".
Next day I woke up early to see what Sathish is doing, I went to the balcony to see his work. He n his brother were waiting near the car. On seeing me he greeted me with morning wishes and started to his work. I observed them and their work. I could see his dedication and hardwork which he was putting in such a simple and mundane work. I was surprised and at the same time I decided to give what ever he asked for.
I came inside went to the kitchen where my mom was busy preparing breakfast and told her, "give him what ever he is asking".
I thought many times about this incident, n was trying to resolve my confusion(Am I encouraging child labor?).
Yes I am encouraging child labor, but if I do not employ him how will he pay his tuition fee n meet his daily necessities?
These questions haunts me:
1) Should any one employ a child?
2) If not how will they get their basic necessities?
3) What is the meaning of free education to every child in India?
How any one could solve this egg n chicken problem?
-Sun
3 comments:
Many super rich and Ivory tower people will tell you that what you are doing is wrong. Do not listen to them. I do not consider this wrong. You are helping a poor family in your own way. I have done these many times and hence recommend you the same.
1. Talk to parents of these kids and hand over the money to them whenever you can.
2. Ask about the progress of their education.
3. If possible ask the bigger kid to stop bringing his youger brother for making him work.
4. Feed them once in a while.
5. Be strict with them and show them when you make good progress in education you are kind enough with them
6. Do not entertain any other favours to both parent and kids.
Given them some basic educational material and if possible teach them over weekends. I know there are multiple groups that work on these.
I used to gift pencils pens and notebooks to kids whom I have never met. One generation of folks like us have to dedicate and bring up another set of kids out of proverty then this chicken and egg problem will vanish on its own.
Thank you sirji,
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